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Students Making a Difference by Promoting Safer, Smarter Driving Through Project Ignition

Two Florida schools awarded $2,000 each for student led teen driver safety campaigns

Facts at a glance:

• Doral Academy Preparatory High School in Doral/Miami and West Florida High School in Pensacola have been named in the top 25 schools across the U.S. and Canada to receive a Project Ignition grant for 2012.
• The $2,000 Project Ignition grants will support student teen driver safety campaigns at each school.
• Visit SFProjectIgnition.com to check out the schools' winning plans and more information about Project Ignition.

The big picture:

Doral Academy Preparatory High School in Doral/Miami and West Florida High School in Pensacola have been named in the top 25 schools across the U.S. and Canada to receive a $2,000 Project Ignition grant for 2012. Project Ignition, now in its 8th year, is a student-led teen driver safety program funded by State Farm® and coordinated by the National Youth Leadership Council.

The program was developed because car crashes are the No. 1 killer of youth, and students at Doral Academy Prep High School and West Florida High School are working to change that devastating reality through the following teen driver safety campaigns:

• Doral Academy Prep High School's "Under the Limit" safety campaign features creation of a student-created Public Service Announcement and class presentations by both the City of Doral Police Department and fellow students. The program also incorporates parent workshops to raise community awareness. Student leaders at Doral Academy intend for high school students to become aware of the dangers of teen driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

• West Florida High School's "A "Crash" Course in Safe Driving!" safety campaign features a school-wide assembly with motivational speakers and giveaways that emphasize the importance of safe driving. Safe driving pamphlets and videos will be broadcast in the school, and all 5th period classes will participate in a demonstration of DUI goggles in March. Student government members will visit elementary schools to teach younger children how they can be good passengers and enable safe driving. A wrecked car will be on site during the campaign, and students will have opportunity to pledge to be a safe driver.

If chosen at the end of the school year as one of the top 10 Project Ignition programs, schools are eligible to receive additional funding (up to $7,500) to extend their campaign and to participate in a national event where they will showcase their leadership in teen driver safety.

"As the nation's No. 1 insurer of vehicles, State Farm makes it a priority to promote teen driver safety through programs like Project Ignition," said Michal Connolly, spokesperson for State Farm. "We believe in the power of young people to make a difference and are happy to join them in promoting teen driver safety."

Interested in learning more? Visit SFProjectIgnition.com to check out the schools' winning plans and for more information about the program.

NOTE TO MEDIA: Interviews can be arranged as appropriate at upcoming check presentations or school safety campaign events.

 

Contact:

Michal Connolly State Farm Insurance, 863-318-3088

About State Farm®:
State Farm and its affiliates are the largest provider of car insurance in the U.S. and is a leading insurer in Canada. In addition to providing auto insurance quotes, their 17,800 agents and more than 65,000 employees serve 81 million policies and accounts - more than 79 million auto, home, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and nearly 2 million bank accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is also available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 43 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com or in Canada http://www.statefarm.ca..